Villa Security at Carvoeiro

martin.cork · Post by **martin.cork** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:07 am

In the past 3 weeks our villa at ADM has been burgled on two occassions. The thieves break in when persons go out for dinner between 6pm and 10pm.
Fortunately all valuables were locked away.
The thieves have gained access by breaking through the external shutters , a steel concertino grille type sliding gate and a single glazed patio door.
This is at the poolside area which is not seen from the road.
Are there any recommendations or persons/companies we can contact regarding security for the property?
Has there been any other burgarlies to property in the Carvoeiro Area in the past few months ?
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:17 am

The villa we rent is at ADM and I am always wary of security. The shutters and double-glazed doors aren't a barrier to a determined thief. I have a good knowledge of windows (many years as a Sales & Marketing Manager) and I could break into many properties using a lolly stick!

Whenever we got out at night we tend to leave the car parked outside, lights on inside and the TV on loud enough to make out someone might be at home. So far as I know the villa has never been broken into. It's location might be a factor, it being on a corner and opposite the area's 'owner?'.

bigjomc · Post by **bigjomc** » Fri May 09, 2008 11:26 am

martin , i can supply and fit a motion sensing floodlight to your villa , also dummy cctv camera plus warning signs , pm me .

regards

joe.

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Fri May 09, 2008 2:20 pm

bigjomc, that won't deter the daytimers. A big dog would do the trick - is it possible to hire one?

bigjomc · Post by **bigjomc** » Fri May 09, 2008 3:58 pm

or there is the barking dog alarm , sounds more vicious the closer intruders get to the building.

DELASOUL · Post by **DELASOUL** » Fri May 09, 2008 7:59 pm

Okay.... I have been victim to these bastards and if it was in Liverpool... well lets just say there are "firms" that I can hire to cover my industrial premises and de facto my domestic property as well. I have often thought about a private security firm type operation in CVO (THE KNIFE TO MY FATHERS THROAT CONCENTRATED MY THOUGHTS) how many euros a month would you pay to ensure no trouble? given what we lost during or "trouble" I would pay a good few bob to ensure "justice"

Mexican Pete · Post by **Mexican Pete** » Sat May 10, 2008 11:33 am

We’re on VdeM and had a series of burglaries until we installed a Securitas alarm 3years ago. The capital cost was about €1,200 and the “monitoring and intervention” service costs us €17.50 a month. Not had a hint of trouble since! We have separate codes for ourselves, the maid, the managing agents and clients and get Securitas to change these regularly at no cost. They can also, on request, send details of who's been in when so you could, if you wished, check on the maid's attendance!
It’s a sad reflection of the way things are going, but saves a good deal of potential heartache.

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:00 pm

Mexican Pete wrote:We’re on VdeM and had a series of burglaries until we installed a Securitas alarm 3years ago. The capital cost was about €1,200 and the “monitoring and intervention” service costs us €17.50 a month. Not had a hint of trouble since! We have separate codes for ourselves, the maid, the managing agents and clients and get Securitas to change these regularly at no cost. They can also, on request, send details of who's been in when so you could, if you wished, check on the maid's attendance!
It’s a sad reflection of the way things are going, but saves a good deal of potential heartache.

Pondering that large capital expenditure, A couple of thoughts spring to mind:

1. I wonder to what extent the presence of "any alarm system" would have achieved the same result ?
2. Would the "intervention" service arrive in time to catch the thieves ? In my experience they are in and out within minutes.

HampshireRich · Post by **HampshireRich** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:14 pm

Is this sort of crime on the increase? - I've been coming to CVO since the early 1990's and apart from a pair of Nike shorts nicked from the washing line once, I have not encountered any problems, or to be honest even heard of problems apart from posts on the Forum.

I only rent at Monte CVO for a couple of weeks a year but know some people who are residents or own there and haven't heard of any problems. Do the thieves target empty properties (knowing the owners are away for a while) or is it more a chance opportunity they take?

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:20 pm

HampshireRich wrote:....Do the thieves target empty properties (knowing the owners are away for a while) or is it more a chance opportunity they take?

Don't know if its on the increase or not, but anecdotal evidence points to the thieves targeting properties occupied by tourists who bring cameras, laptops, cash and passports, and leave these out while sunning themselves by the pool, or even worse, available when they go out for dinner.

As it happens, I've actually not heard of attacks on empty properties. Although that's only my own knowledge.

HampshireRich · Post by **HampshireRich** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:39 pm

I always rent the safe when I go on holiday - they may charge 10-15euros per week, but I think its worth it. That should stop the opportunist thief, but Delasoul's experience with the knife is a different threat altogether - hopefully not a common one at all.

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:50 pm

HampshireRich wrote:I always rent the safe when I go on holiday - they may charge 10-15euros per week, but I think its worth it. That should stop the opportunist thief, but Delasoul's experience with the knife is a different threat altogether - hopefully not a common one at all.

There's a safe in the villa we went and all our valuables go into it. However, having my goodies stashed away won't stop them breaking in to see if I've left anything lying around. The problem lies in how to stop them gaining access. I do think any sort of alarm is a deterrent. If I was a burglar I'd pick a villa without an alarm system over one that has.

Mike,Chislehurst · Post by **Mike,Chislehurst** » Mon May 12, 2008 6:13 pm

10-15 euros to hire a safe er!

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:55 am

In my case they took the safe and all

kteee · Post by **kteee** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:16 am

Some off topic posts have been removed - please stick to the subject